World’s best surf West

Mike Sciacca

The backdrop to Tuesday’s media day at the 2005 Bank of the West

Beach Games featuring the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing was impressive.

There, on the sand south of the Huntington Beach Pier, under the

shadows of the massive stadium and Soul Bowl venue -- and right in

front of one monster of a surf board -- sat a mix of what gives the

event its name.

There were professional surfers and King of the Beach volleyball

legend, marketing professionals and sponsors, including the main

sponsor whose name -- Bank of the West -- leads the games for a

second consecutive year.

“This is a great way to kick off the Bank of the West Beach games

featuring the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing presented by O’Neill,” said

James Leitz, vice president of International Marketing Group, which

promotes the games. “We wouldn’t have the beach games without our

sponsors.”

Media day also served as the unveiling of the world’s largest

surfboard. The 40-foot-long board was built by Nev Hyman of

Australia.

Athletes in attendance included Olympic volleyball gold medalist

Karch Kiraly , who will stage his own unique, six-team, four-player

volleyball tournament beginning Saturday; Boarding House North Shore

star Holly Beck; and Team O’Neill riders Brett Simpson of Huntington

Beach, Patrick Gudauskas of San Clemente and Nathaniel Curran of

Ventura.

The defending men’s champion, Taj Burrow of Australia, also made

an appearance.

Over the course of the week, nearly 600 athletes from around the

globe will be in Surf City through Sunday. Surfing, skateboarding,

BMX, FMX and volleyball competitions will be held throughout the

weekend, culminating with championship round finals action on Sunday.

The games are expected to draw 350,000 spectators.

Anchoring the games is the U.S. Open of Surfing.

With an impressive history that dates to 1959, the contest is

North America’s only six-star World Qualifying Series-rated men’s and

women’s events.

Back again is the Lost Pro Junior and longboard divisions, but

joining the cast is the all-new Women’s Junior Pro, which is open to

competitors ages 19 and under.

Spectators also will be able to enjoy an interactive festival

featuring the TransWorld Surf Village and Stage and Teen Vogue

Fashion Live!

More than 80 exhibits, dance contests, DJs, athlete autograph

signings and prize giveaways will take place throughout the weekend.

The Bank of the West concert stage will be set up north of the

pier.

Today at 10 a.m., the Huntington Beach Surfing Walk of Fame, the

nation’s first sidewalk monument honoring surfing, will induct its

12th class in front of Jack’s Surfboards.

Friday at 10 a.m., four inductees will be enshrined into the

Surfers’ Hall of Fame during ceremonies at Huntington Surf and Sport.

All events during the 2005 Bank of the West Beach Games are open

to the public and free of charge.